Fractured Light was Rachel McClellan's debut novel and one that I was intrigued to read. So when the opportunity to do this tour came up, I jumped at the chance. And I'm so glad that I did.

Llona Reese is used to
living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they
would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when
she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets
careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.

As an Aura, Llona
can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to
survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her
power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her
light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can
understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust,
except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.

In this breathtaking
and romantic adventure, Rachel McClellan delivers a truly mesmerizing
story that will keep you guessing to the very end.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the main character's name. Llona, pronounced Ee-ona. It was unique just as she was supposed to be and really added to the overall story. When I first started reading I had no idea how to pronounce her name and loved it once I did.

The new fantasy element and world that Rachel created was also so much fun. We don't get a lot of answers or background in this first book, but what we are given only makes us wanting more, at least that's how it was in my case. Aura's, Vykens, and others are introduced in a very unique world. I can only imagine what else we find out in Fractured Soul.

And for those who love a little romance in their books, you get that as well. Though, Llona's love interest isn't the main plot point of the story, it's still one that you root for. I found myself awwing and wanting more cuteness. Hopefully he shows up again in books 2 and 3.

If you can't tell already, I definitely enjoyed getting to read this novel and plan on continuing the series. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

I loved Shannon Dittemore's debut Angel Eyes, it was beautifully written and kept me intrigued all of the way through. Now with her sequel, I can truly say that I enjoyed it even more so and can't wait for the conclusion.

Life for Brielle begins to crumble in the wake of the events that took place several months before. Not only is her father drinking again and seeing a younger woman that Brielle can't stand, but Jake's also keeping things from her.

With the Prince of Darkness targeting both Jake and Brielle and haunting dreams targeting her despite the halo, things really take a huge spiral. But Brielle knows that she has to learn to control the gifts she received and fight. But will she be able to when her wings are broken?

Right off the bat Shannon did a beautiful job of weaving the supernatural aspects happening in the background along with Brielle and Jake's story. I loved the fact that we got more information on what was happening on both sides and the build up of intensity to what they were planning.

My favorite part, though, were her descriptions. Since Brielle can see into the Celestial realm, she can see things that normal people don't and how Shannon describes them left me in awe. The tastes, smells, and sights of how she saw worship were beautiful and just right for the mood that was being created.

I can hardly wait to find out the conclusion to this amazing trilogy after the ending to Broken Wings left me breathless and the description that finally posted for the last book Dark Halo.

Below are the summaries and links for both books, Shannon Dittemore's info, and a little giveaway:

Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee.
Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .

ANGEL EYES

Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found
tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with
her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem
to shake.

Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an
unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of
them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand
guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or
Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all
human choices start.

Giant angels with
metal wings and visible song. A blind demon restored from the pit of
darkness. And a girl who has never felt more broken.

Brielle sees the world as it really is: a place where the Celestial exists side
by side with human reality. But in the aftermath of a supernatural showdown, her
life begins to crumble. Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from
her—something important. Her overprotective father has started drinking again.
He’s dating a much younger woman who makes Brielle’s skin crawl, and he’s
downright hostile toward Jake. Haunting nightmares keep Brielle from sleeping,
and flashes of Celestial vision keep her off kilter.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness
himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who sees
through the Terrestrial Veil. When he plucks the blind demon, Damien, from the
fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for a
cataclysmic battle of good versus evil.

Then Brielle unearths the truth about her mother’s death and she must question
everything she ever thought was true.

Brielle has no choice. She knows evil forces are converging and will soon rain
their terror down upon the town of Stratus. She must master the weapons she’s
been given. She must fight.

Shannon Dittemore has an overactive
imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is
responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local
theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. The daughter
of one preacher and the wife of another, she spends her days imagining things
unseen and chasing her two children around their home in Northern California.
Angel Eyes is her first novel.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Sophie Foster thought
she was safe. Settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by
friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny--the
first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities--her life finally
seems to be coming together.

But Sophie's kidnappers are still
out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the
mysterious Black Swan group, she’s forced to take a terrifying risk—one
that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long buried secrets
rise to the surface, it’s once again up to Sophie to uncover hidden
memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this
second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey
to the darkest corners of her luminous world in a sequel that will
leave you breathless for more.

I fell in love with this series after reading the first book. Even though I haven't been able to post my review for that one yet, I had to mention the next one. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but add the description with that and I for one cannot wait!